Advantages-Disadvantages Essay

Agree/Disagree Question:

Some people believe that non-essential air travel must be banned. To what extent do you agree with this
statement?

vacation/holiday

Outline: 5 min: speak up to 2 min about the reasons

Agree: 2 reasons

Pollution, respiratory diseases, global warming, climate change, environmental damage,

Pandemics

Disagree: no more fast long-distance trips

bad for the airline and tourism industries

Introduction:

Some people believe that non-essential air travel must be banned. To what extent do you agree with this
statement?

Paraphrase + Opinion/Thesis Statement

250 words in 40 min

4 paragraphs:

Intro

Body P1

Body P2

Conclusion

It is sometimes argued that…unnecessary flights should be prohibited. Personally, I strongly

agree/disagree with this statement/perspective for two main reasons.

. Personally, I partly agree with this statement/perspective for the reasons mentioned below.

To begin with,… Main Reasons 1 + support [cause/effect + explanation+ examples]

Furthermore,

In conclusion,… (summary: opinion + summary of reasons)

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Some people believe that non-essential air travel must be banned. To what extent do you agree with this
statement?

Disagree: 2 reasons

Partly agree: 1 reasons for + 1 reason against

Traffic and accommodation problems are increasing and the government should encourage businesses
to move from cities to the suburbs.

● Discuss the advantages and the disadvantages?

● Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Introduction:
1. Hook + Paraphrased Topic Q
Fact: It is generally acknowledged that…,
Opinion: It is sometimes argued that…
It is generally acknowledged that…, and therefore, it is sometimes argued that…

2. Thesis Statement/Opinion:
In my view, there are more advantages/disadvantages.
…has more benefits than drawbacks.
The benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
While/whereas…has a number of/several benefits/drawbacks, I believe, they are both outweighed and
outnumbered by the drawbacks/benefits.
While…modern lifestyle has a number of drawbacks, I believe, they are outweighed by the benefits.

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3. Essay Preview Line: This essay will examine…(Task Achievement/response 25%)
This essay will examine the merits and demerits of this phenomenon followed by my personal point of
view (conclusion).

Body Paragraphs:

1. Main idea
2. Support: ABCD + example (reasons/causes-Effects-examples

1. On the one hand …has a number of potential drawbacks/benefits; chief among them/including,…
D...owing to the fact that A-B-C-D.
This has been evidenced by a recent study conducted by the University of …Toronto…concluding
that…
2. On the other hand, …has numerous undeniable drawbacks, most importantly...D…due to the fact
that A-B-C-D
The city of …Toronto…serves as a clear example where (over the past half a century…has
happened…)

Conclusion: paraphrased opinion + summary of cons and pros

Whereas……have/has several unquestionable merits such as…..,and…… (Personally I believe, they are
undoubtedly (outweighed) eclipsed by the drawbacks including……..and……..

Weight n.

Vocabulary & Collocations

To weigh vb.
John broke the window. (Active)
The window was broken by John. (Passive)
The disadvantages outweigh the advantages (Active voice)
=
The advantages are outweighed by the disadvantages (Passive voice)

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 Outnumber

The snake is outnumbered by the enemy.

The advantages/benefits are both outweighed and outnumbered by the disadvantages/drawbacks.

(Passive voice)

To outweigh = to eclipse

Eclipse of the sun vs. Eclipse of the moon

To be outweighed/eclipsed/outnumbered by

In conclusion, whereas relocating business outside the urban areas has several potential merits
such as less road congestion and pollution in addition to a healthier society, they are undoubtedly
eclipsed by the demerits including the tremendous increase in environmental damage and health
issues in the suburbs.

Outline:
The Magic Formula: A-B-C-D (Support Chain)

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A results in B (noun/vb+ing) leading to C (noun/vb+ing). As a consequence, D happens…

A contributes to B causing/leading to C. As a result, D happens

A results in a dramatic increase/decrease in (the number/amount of)…B… (noun/vb+ing)…leading

to……a drastic rise/fall in (the quantity/level/degree of) …C...(noun/vb+ing) …..
As a consequence/consequently/as a result…..D… happens….

A dramatic, drastic, tremendous, significant, substantial

Increase-decrease, rise-fall, surge-decline,
In (the number/amount, quantity-quality, degree/level) of….

As a result, D increases/decreases
substantially/significantly/tremendously/drastically/dramatically.

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Examples:

1. Traffic and accommodation problems are increasing and the government should encourage businesses
to move from cities to the suburbs.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Advantages:
A results in B (noun/vb+ing) leading to C (noun/vb+ing). As a consequence, D happens…

A
Relocating the businesses to the outskirts
B
Less traffic jam in the city
Less pollution
C
Fewer diseases, healthier people, more time to be more efficient
D
The society will be healthier and more efficient

The disadvantages:
A contributes to B causing/leading to C. As a result, D happens

A
Relocating the businesses to the outskirts
B
Export the pollution and traffic to the suburbs
C
Pollution in the suburbs
D
It will have a huge negative impact on the environment
As it makes overall pollution and traffic worse

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It is generally acknowledged that…heavy traffic and housing challenges are growing, and therefore it is
sometimes argued that governments and policy makers around the world ought to
encourage/motivate/provide incentives for companies (and other businesses) to move/relocate from
urban areas to the outskirts of the cities. While this decision has a number of undeniable benefits,
personally I believe, they are both outweighed and outnumbered by the drawbacks. This essay will
examine the merits and demerits of this phenomenon followed by my personal point of view.
On the one hand, moving the companies to the countryside has a number of potential benefits; chief
among them, a healthier and more efficient society owing to the fact that this would lead to a dramatic
decrease in the amount of pollution and traffic inside the cities resulting in fewer diseases and healthier
people. As a consequence, there would be a significant rise in the health and productivity level in the
society as a whole. More specifically, the city of …Toronto….serves as a good example where the
government tried this approach over a decade from 2000 to 2010 resulting in a 25% decrease in traffic and
pollution levels in the city. Based on government reports overall business productivity increased by 20%.
(124)
On the other hand, relocating the businesses to the outskirts (encouraging the businesses to leave the
city) has numerous undeniable drawbacks the most important of which is a tremendous negative impact
on the environment due to the fact that this would contribute to exporting the pollution and traffic to the
suburbs causing in a drastic rise in pollution and congestion levels there. As a result, there will be
enormous adverse repercussions on the environment. This has been evidenced by a recent study
published by the University of….Toronto…concluding that….encouraging the businesses to leave the city
over the past thirty years has led to a 30% increase in the amount of pollution in the areas surrounding
Toronto. (110)The study further found that this trend has increased the number of respiratory diseases
such as lung cancer and asthma in the suburbs by 25%. (133)
In conclusion, whereas relocating business outside the urban areas has several potential merits such as
less road congestion and pollution in addition to a healthier society, they are undoubtedly eclipsed by the
demerits including the tremendous increase in environmental damage and health issues in the suburbs.
(394)

2. Some people believe that some unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school
programs (e.g. working in a charity improving the relationship of neighborhood or teaching sports to
children) Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages.

Advantages:

unpaid community service

Experience and learning to help others/give back to the community

More experienced/skillful and more social intelligence

D
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More successful in their future careers and better members of the society

Disadvantages:

unpaid community service

wastes their time

Fall behind their school studies

Become less competitive/less likely to get admitted into top universities and jeopardizes their future
career

It is sometimes argued that secondary school students ought to be engaged in mandatory unpaid
community service as part of their school curriculum. Whereas community service has a number of
potential drawbacks, I believe, they are both outweighed and outnumbered by the benefits. This essay will
examine the merits and demerits of this phenomenon followed by my personal point of view.
On the one hand, compulsory community service in high schools has a number of potential drawbacks;
chief among them, diminishing the students’ chance of admission into competitive colleges and
universities owing to the fact that it would lead to consuming a considerable portion of the students’ time
resulting in a drastic decline in their academic performance. As a consequence, there would be a
substantial decrease in their competitiveness and the likelihood to receive admission by the universities
of their choice. This has been evidenced by a recent study conducted by the University of …Toronto…
concluding that the schools that have subjected the students to obligatory community service have seen
their students grades and university admission rate fall by 20% and 25% respectively.
On the other hand however, mandatory community service in high schools has numerous undeniable
benefits the most important of which are enhanced academic performance and better career
opportunities. This is due to the fact that serving the community results in a substantial increase in the
students’ interaction with the society contributing to a significant growth in their social intelligence and
skill level. Consequently, they will be more proficient, experienced and competitive and therefore will
have a considerably higher chance of success in their future careers which will in turn benefit not only
themselves but also the society as a whole. Based on a recent survey by the Toronto District School
Board, the schools that have adopted this policy over the past decade report a noticeable rise/boost in
the students’ performance level particularly in social studies.

In conclusion, while incorporating unpaid community service into the schools’ mandatory curriculum has
several potential demerits such as consuming the students’ time and possibly affecting their grades,
these disadvantages are undeniably eclipsed by the merits including higher levels of social intelligence
as well as increased likelihood of success in their future careers.

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3. International tourism has become a huge industry in the world. Do the problems of international travel
outweigh its advantages?

International tourism:

Advantages:

A
International tourism
B
Cultural exchange and interaction
C
Learning about others cultures,
D
Multiculturalism, pluralism, tolerance, understanding and peace

Disadvantages:

Pollution and environmental damage

A
International tourism
B
Traveling
C
Using fossil fuels
D
Increased air pollution, global warming and climate change, extinction of species, respiratory diseases

It is generally acknowledged that …the global travel and tourism industry has grown substantially. While
this phenomenon has a number of drawbacks, I believe they are both outweighed and outnumbered by
the benefits. This essay will examine the merits and demerits of International tourism followed by my
personal point of view. (51)

On the one hand, international tourism has a number of potential drawbacks; chief among them, pollution
and environmental damage owing to the fact that it leads to a drastic increase in transportation resulting
in a significant rise in the consumption of fossil fuels. As a consequence, global pollution levels surge
dramatically causing global warming, extinction of species and a tremendous increase in respiratory
diseases around the world.
This has been evidenced by a recent study conducted by the University of Toronto concluding
that over the past half a century, there has been a 25% rise in the number tourists visiting Canada.
The study further found that pollution levels and the associated diseases such as lung cancer and
asthma have risen by approximately 20% over the same period. (127)

On the other hand however, the global travel and tourism industry has numerous undeniable benefits the
most important of which is promoting tolerance and peace around the world due to the fact that traveling
overseas contributes to interacting with other cultures and nationalities which leads to learning to
understand and coexist with individuals from other countries. As a result, the world becomes more
multicultural, tolerant, and peaceful. The city of Toronto serves as a clear example where over the past

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two centuries, people from all over the world have not only lived together in peace and harmony, but also
enriched their own cultural background by interacting with other cultures. (109)

In conclusion, qhereas the travel industry has several unquestionable demerits such as pollution and
environmental damage, they are undoubtedly eclipsed by the merits including promoting tolerance,
pluralism, multiculturalism and global peace. (29)

4. Becoming a parent is a difficult decision facing many young couples. Do the advantages of parenthood
outweigh the disadvantages?

Advantages:
A
Parenthood
B
More responsibility, more income needed
C
Working and planning harder
D
Becoming more successful, more mature

Disadvantages:
A
Parenthood
B
More work
C
Less time, money and energy for oneself and one’s needs and desires
D
Less personal satisfaction/happiness

Becoming a parent is a difficult decision facing many young couples. Do the advantages of parenthood
outweigh the disadvantages?

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It is generally acknowledged that it is a complicated decision for newly-wed couples to have children.
Whereas becoming a parent has a number of potential drawbacks, I believe they are both outweighed and
outnumbered by the benefits. This essay will examine the merits and demerits of this phenomenon
followed by my personal point of view.
On the one hand, becoming parents especially at a young age has a number of potential drawbacks; most
importantly, more work and less spare time for one’s own hobbies and interests. This is owing to the fact
that raising children leads to a drastic rise in the cost of living resulting in the need for extra hours of
work by both parents. As a consequence, they will have considerably less time to spend on their own
needs and interests. This has been evidenced by a recent study published by the University of …
Toronto…concluding that the majority of young parents either drastically reduce or totally quit
recreational activities such as gym membership or socializing with friends. (116)
On the other hand however, early parenthood has numerous undeniable merits, the most important of
which is becoming both more mature and successful in one’s career. This is due to the fact that the
obligation to deal with the extra expenses of raising children contributes to a significant increase in one’s
motivation for work and personal growth leading to substantial progress in one’s career. Based on a
recent survey published by the People’s magazine in Toronto, young parents are more likely to get
promoted at work due to the motivation to earn more. Based on this research, young parents in the
province of Ontario earn 25% more than couples without children.
Conclusion: Summary: paraphrased/restated opinion/thesis statement + summary of pros and cons
In conclusion, while having children in early adulthood has several demerits such as….lack of quality
time for oneself and one’s own hobbies and interests, they are unquestionably/undeniably eclipsed by the
merits including maturity and success in one’s career due to heightened motivation to earn more money
for one’s children.

5. More and more measures to improve the security in large urban areas have been introduced in many
countries because of the increased crime. Do the benefits of these measures outweigh the drawbacks?

Advantages:

Security measures (surveillance cameras, more police presence, espionage: eavesdropping on civilians,
intercepting emails and phone calls)

Increased ability to monitor criminal activity

Decrease in crime rate

Safer and more secure and efficient society

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Disadvantages:

Security measures

Creating fear and Less privacy for citizens

Reducing civil liberties and freedoms

A society living in fear and anxiety, less efficient

[It is generally acknowledged that] these days, a growing number of countries are taking/adopting enhanced
security measures particularly in large cities in response to/to deal with the ever-growing rise in crime rate/criminal
activity. While increasing security measures has a number of potential disadvantages, personally I believe
they are both outweighed and outnumbered by the advantages. This essay will examine the merits and
demerits of this phenomenon followed by my personal point of view.

On the one hand, increased security measures have several potential disadvantages; chief among them,
increased fear, anxiety and less productivity owing to the fact that these steps would lead to a drastic
increase in fearmongering and anxiety in the society resulting in the invasion of individuals’ privacy, civil
rights and liberties. As a consequence, the society as a whole becomes less productive since people live
in constant fear. The city of …New York…serves as a clear example where since September 11, 2001, the
US government has applied maximum security measures such as increased police and surveillance
camera presence in the city resulting in heightened stress and anxiety among the citizens particularly
Muslims and other minorities. Moreover, the government has intercepted the phone calls and emails
(private communications) of thousands of New York residents. (127)

On the other hand however, there are numerous undeniable advantages the most important of which is a
significant decline in the crime rate and a safer society for all. This is due to the fact that, enhanced
security measures would contribute to a significant increase in the law enforcement’s crime monitoring
capabilities causing a substantial decrease in the crime rate. As a result, the society as a whole becomes
considerably more secure and efficient. The city of …Toronto…serves as a clear example where over the
past half a century criminal activity in general and burglary in particular has declined by approximately
60% since the city installed thousands of surveillance cameras in early 1970s. (114)

In conclusion, whereas adopting increased security measures in large cities has a number of demerits
such as curtailment of privacy and civil liberties, they are undeniably eclipsed by the benefits including
heightened safety, security and productivity for both the individual and the society at large. (45)
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6. Some people think that good health is a basic human need, so the medical service should not be run by
profit making companies. Do you think the disadvantages of the private health care outweigh the
advantages?

Advantages and disadvantages

Benefits and drawbacks

Merits and demerits

Pros and Cons

250 words (minimum) in 40 min

Outline: 5 min

4 paragraphs

Introduction:

1. Hook + Paraphrase the topic

2. Opinion/Thesis Statement
3. Essay Overview

Body P1:

1. Topic Sentence (Main idea): Main

advantage/disadvantage
2. Support (ABCD + Example)

Body P2

Conclusion: Summary:

In conclusion,

Advantages and disadvantages of the private/public healthcare

Private ownership of the medical service: talk about 90 secs to 2 min each

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Outline: 5 min: key words and not sentences

Advantages: more efficient service,

Coherence: ideas follow a logical sequence/progression

Cohesion: linking words, etc.

a-Private: paid system

b-more funds and resources/ money

c-better/high-tech equipment/technology + better/more experienced personnel

d-More efficient/less wait time

Disadvantages:

a-Private: paid system: expensive

b-unaffordable for many/the poor

c-many unhealthy people/individuals

d-discriminatory: increases inequality

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Advantages: (A-B-C-D)

Private health care

Higher quality, better care for the rich/those who can afford

Healthier rich people

Live longer and have a better quality of life

Disadvantages:

Private health care

Increases social inequality/injustice

Increases general unhappiness and dissatisfaction of the underprivileged especially animosity toward the
rich

Widens the social divide between the rich and the poor

Some people think that good health is a basic human need, so the medical service should not be run by
profit making companies. Do you think the disadvantages of the private health care outweigh the
advantages?

1. Hook + Paraphrase the topic

2. Opinion/Thesis Statement
3. Essay Overview

It is sometimes argued that since wellbeing is an essential necessity for all humans, corporations should
not control the healthcare system. While a privately run health system has a number of benefits, I believe
they are both outweighed and outnumbered by the drawbacks. This essay will examine the merits and
demerits of this phenomenon followed by my personal point of view. (62)

Body P

1. Topic Sentence (Main idea): Main

advantage/disadvantage
2. Support (ABCD + Example)
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On the one hand, a private health care system…has a number of potential benefits; chief among them,
better quality for the rich owing to the fact that paid service results in a drastic increase in the amount of
available funds and resources, which in turn leads to providing better equipment and higher quality of
medical service especially for the wealthy. This results in more efficient healthcare a longer life
expectancy for the elite. This has been evidenced by a recent study conducted by the University of …
Toronto…concluding that…the top 1% of Americans live approximately 10% longer than the bottom 99%
of the society. The study further found that the number of rich people dying due to the quality of
healthcare is nearly 70% lower than that of the poor/ the disadvantaged people. (106)

On the other hand however, …has numerous undeniable drawbacks the most important of which is...D…
due to the fact that A-B-C-D
The city of …Toronto…serves as a clear example where (over the past half a century…has
happened…)
Whereas a privately-run medical system has several unquestionable demerits such as…..,and……
(Personally I believe, they are undoubtedly (outweighed) eclipsed/outnumbered by the drawbacks
including……..and……..

Sample Questions:
One of the consequences of improved medical care is that people are living longer and life
expectancy is increasing.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high
school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to do this.

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary
schools rather than secondary school.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Computers are becoming an essential part of school lessons.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.

Renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, have shown great promise. However,
they have often disappointed in practice. What are the advantages and disadvantages of
these forms of power generation compared to fossil fuels?
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

It is generally acknowledged that sustainable sources of energy including hydro, wind and solar
have great potential. This essay will examine the merits and demerits of using/utilizing alternative
sources of energy instead of fossil fuels followed by my point of view. (55)

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 While these alternative sources have a number of drawbacks, I personally believe, they are both
outweighed and outnumbered by the benefits.

Modern lifestyle has increased our quality of life. However many believe it has also brought
disadvantages including health issues. Do the benefits of the current lifestyle outweigh the
drawbacks?
Introduction:
1. Paraphrase the topic.
2. Thesis Statement (Opinion)
3. Essay Preview/Overview: This essay will...
Body Paragraphs:
1. Topic Sentence (Main Idea)
2. General Support (ABCD)
3. Specific Example
Conclusion: Summary
In conclusion,/To conclude,
Restated/paraphrased Opinion/Thesis Statement

Modern lifestyle has increased our quality of life. However many believe it has also brought
disadvantages including health issues. Do the benefits of the current lifestyle outweigh the
drawbacks?
It is generally acknowledged that the current way of life has improved our standard of living.
Nevertheless, it also has numerous drawbacks such as health problems. While the modern
lifestyle has a number of disadvantages, I believe they are outweighed by the benefits. This
essay will examine the merits and demerits of this phenomenon followed by my personal
point of view. (56)

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